Assignment Brief – Group Report (Draft)
| Module Title: | International and Comp HRM | Module Code: | 7BSP1303 |
| Assignment Format & Maximum Word count | Group Report Individual Reflection – 500 words | Assignment Weighting: | 40% 10% |
| Coursework Submission: | Time: 23:59 Date: 18th December 2020 Method: Canvas |
Coursework return Date returned to students: | 4 weeks after submission |
| Module leader | Dr Kathlyn Wilson | First marker | Dr Kathlyn Wilson |
| Internal Moderator | Approved Date: 22 October 2020 |
Module Board name | PG Human Resource Management and Strategy |
| External Examiner | Approved Date: 23 November 2020 |
Module Board date | February 2021 |
| Assessment Criteria |
| Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding tested in this assignment: |
| the theoretical and empirical work of key writers, both classical and contemporary, on different aspects of international human resource management as a distinctive field of study and practice; the strategic orientations of multinational corporations (MNCs) and related HR policy/employment considerations; comparative and diverse contexts impacting HRM and its related practices in various regions. |
| Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes tested in this assignment: |
| demonstrate an ability to critically appraise, evaluate and synthesise different writers’ theoretical and empirical contributions to the study of international human resource management critically evaluate and apply relevant theory to practice to the complex interrelationship of human resource factors within multinational corporations communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and work effectively in diverse groups |
| Transformational Opportunities |
| Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment |
| Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria and Mark scheme. See the module site. Guidance for improvement will be given in writing on the Assessment Feedback Form or on the Canvas Feedback Form within 4 weeks of submission. Assignments submitted up to one week late will receive a maximum numeric grade of: Levels 4, 5 and 6 (UG) – 40 Level 7 (PG) – 50 Assignments submitted after one week will receive a fail Plagiarism offences will receive standard penalties. |
| Detailed Brief for Individual Assessment |
| Assignment Title: Group Report and Reflective Account The assessment will require students to work as a group to produce a research-based report plus a 500-word Reflective Account. This assessment allows you to demonstrate your ability to research a topic and also engage in cross-cultural team working. Description of the assignment: A group report on either of the following topics: Topic A A multinational corporation is planning to implement a common set of performance management (PM) practices throughout its global subsidiaries. Critically appraise the extent to which national culture can impact PM systems using specific country examples. What advice would you offer to the HRM director of the firm in relation to this plan; and why? Or Topic B Identify and critically discuss the equal opportunity law(s) in different countries. For each country, discuss the implications for the multinational corporation. What advice would you offer to the HRM director in considering operations in each country? Individual Element (75% of your Report Mark, 1000 words). EACH student in each group must choose ONE different country. Individual contributions each constitute one section in the report. Hence 4 countries will be covered by each group report. Each country section MUST start on a separate page. Topic A: For the country you have chosen the title is: The impact of national culture on PM practices: [name of country]. Topic B: For the country you have chosen the title is: Equal opportunity legislation in [name of country]: Implications for the MNC. Mark scheme: Weighting Presentation and Structure 10 Quality of academic sources / Harvard Referencing 5 Content and findings 30 Breadth / Depth / Integration of Literature 15 Discussion /Analysis /Critical evaluation 40 Total 100 |
| Student Support and Guidance For further help, contact your module leader in their drop-in hours or by email. Use the Grading Criteria in your Programme Handbook and mark scheme to help improve your work. Go to CASE workshops, use the CASE website and drop-in hours www.studynet.herts.ac.uk/go/CASE/ Academic English for Business support is available through daily drop-ins from the CASE office. See the CASE workshop timetable on the CASE main website page for details. Make full use of Library search to identify relevant academic material and the ‘Subject Toolkit for Business’ which contains links to other Information Databases and the Information Management contact details. (http://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/LIS.nsf/lis/4DAF5390094771C2802575ED004212BF) Explore the Subject Toolkit for Business to find the best quality sources for different types of business information. It lists all the Specialist databases we subscribe to for finding company, financial, marketing, HR and tourism data. http://www.studynet.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/LIS.nsf/lis/4DAF5390094771C2802575ED004212BF Some tutors allow students to test their work using Turnitin. Guidance on submission to Turnitin via StudyNet can be found by using the following link. http://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/asu.nsf/resource+library/TURNITIN+FOR+STUDENTS+2016+USER+GUIDE.pdf/$FILE/TURNITIN+FOR+STUDENTS+2016+USER+GUIDE.pdf |
All student work needs to be of a high academic standard, in terms of written English and use of the Harvard Referencing System (HRS). This forms part of the UH Grading Criteria. Mark schemes in Module Guides provide additional detail on what, specifically, is required of students in each module’s assessment. Students should refer to their Programme Handbook for more details on the UH Grading Criteria and the requirement to use the HRS.
Some important guidelines on assessment:
• You must not copy from another student nor allow other students to read or have an electronic copy of your work.
• Coursework submitted up to one (1) week after the published deadline will receive a maximum numeric grade of 50 for level 7. Work submitted later than one (1) week after the deadline will be awarded a fail grade.
• Students obtaining less than 20% for the module overall, will not normally be eligible for a referral, they will have to re-enrol on the module in the next academic year (FREN)
Feedback on your module
Coursework will be returned to you together with feedback no later than four (4) weeks after the submission deadline. Individual feedback will be given on the assignment feedback sheets. Formative and/or general feedback may also be given in class time or at drop in session.
Extensions to coursework submission
Only Module Leaders have the discretion to grant individual short extensions to coursework deadlines for their module. Appropriate evidence will need to be provided to them ahead of the original deadline, and students should ensure that they make an appointment to discuss their extension request with their Module Leader.
Where students face difficulties that would not be resolved by a short extension to the coursework deadline, then they should complete a Serious Adverse Circumstances’ form. Guidance on this process is provided in your Programme Handbook.
Assessment of Module’s Learning Outcomes
| Learning Outcomes | Individual Assignment | Group Work |
| Ticks inserted as appropriate | ||
| Knowledge and understanding | ||
| The theoretical and empirical work of key writers, both classical and contemporary, on different aspects of international human resource management as a distinctive field of study and practice | | |
| The strategic orientations of multinational corporations (MNCs) and related HR policy/employment considerations | | |
| Comparative and diverse contexts impacting HRM and its related practices in various regions. | | |
| Skills and Attributes | ||
| Demonstrate an ability to critically appraise, evaluate and synthesise different writers’ theoretical and empirical contributions to the study of international human resource management | | |
| Critically evaluate and apply relevant theory to practice to the complex interrelationship of human resource factors within multinational corporations | | |
| Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, and work effectively in diverse groups | |
Deferral/Referral Assessment
Group Report – An individual essay on your original topic – Topic A or Topic B (2000 words) – For further details contact tutor for information and guidance.
Tests – Repeat the test(s). For further details contact tutor for information and guidance.
Semester A referred/deferred coursework will be put on Canvas by TBD
The submission date for all referred/deferred work is TBD
Important dates
Semester A
Deadline for submission Serious Adverse Circumstances:TBD
Board of Examiners: TBD
Module Board Appeal Deadline: TBD
Refer/Defer
Deadline for submission Serious Adverse Circumstances: TBD
Board of Examiners: TBD
See herts.ac.uk for key information and StudyNet
Module evaluation
Table for communication of enhancements based on feedback from previous cohort(s)
| Feedback from the previous student group (including positive comments and suggestions for enhancement) | Subsequent actions or rationale for action not being taken |
| Students were concerned about the differences in individual contributions to the group presentation. | Students will be assessed for individual contributions to the group report. |
Table for communication of ongoing enhancements
To be completed after the mid-module feedback has taken place in Week 4-5
| Feedback from mid-module survey (including positive comments and suggestions for enhancement) | Immediate action or rationale for action not being taken | Longer term action or rationale for action not being taken |